Illuminated folding table



Feb. 18, 1936. A. L. ELLER MBWM ILLUMINATED FOLDING TABLE Filed June l0 1935 Z6 22 1 I I 36 24' I? a INVENTOR, I 22 flzfiw'jazzzs Ef/e/i ATTORNEYS.

Patented Feb. 18, 1936 UNITED STATES ILLUMINATED FOLDING TABLE Arthur Louis Eller, Olathe, Kans., assignor to Ruth Eller Lutkins, Olathe, Kans.

Application June 10, 1933, Serial No. 675,274

4 Claims.

This invention relates to furniture of the foldingtype and has particular reference to illuminated folding tables especially adapted for use in playing games of cards, and the primary object of the invention is to provide a folding table having shelf members which are automatically movable to and from the operative position as the folding legs of the table are swung from a projected position supporting the table top to an inoperative position against the table top.

A further object of theinstant invention is the contemplation of effective illuminating means for tables, which means may be quickly detached from a supporting member forming a part of the table structure, but which is mounted on the table so that'thorough and effective illumination is afforded over the entire table top area.

A yet further aim of this invention is the provision of an illuminated folding table wherein is incorporated one or more hingedly mounted shelves that move simultaneously with the foldable legs of the table and which carry an illuminating fixture that is provided with'means for permitting adjustment so that the fixture itself is movable to a place where it overhangs the table top when in the operative position and, on the other hand, to a place where it fits compactly against the under side of the table top when the entire table structure is collapsed to an inoperative position, for storage.

It is known in this particular art that card tables of the ordinary folding type are not sufficiently adapted for supporting ash trays, glasses, dishes, lighting fixtures, or other articles so often found desirable and necessary.

This invention contemplates fulfilling a long felt want in this regard and provides means auxiliary to the ordinary type of folding card table that will afford a safe and ample support for ash trays, glasses and the like and will also provide illuminating means for the top of the table that is not likely to be dislodged by a person seated at the table, yet will thoroughly and effectively illuminate the entire surface of the table top and also cards or the like that might be held by such persons.

The above broad objects of this invention will be supplemented by minor and more detailed aims during the course of the following specification, referring to the accompanying drawing, wherein:

Figure 1 is a top plan view of a folding table constructed in accordance with the present invention.

.ing of one will be sufficient.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary, side elevation of the same.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary, inverted, plan view of one corner of the folding table.

Fig. 4 is a similar View, but with leg, shelf, and lighting fixture positioned in the collapsed, inoperative position.

Fig. 5 is a detailed, fragmentary, sectional view taken on line V-V of Fig. 4, showing the spring detent for yieldably maintaining the shelf in an inoperative position, and,

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary, perspective view of one corner of the table illustrating another form of lighting fixture that may be used in the absence of the shelf.

In constructing an illuminated folding table to embody the salient concepts of this invention, it is not necessary to alter or change in any manner, the regular way of constructing a folding card table which has a top 8 consisting of the panel l0 and side rails l2. In each corner of top 8 is positioned a leg 14 that is swingably mounted by a bracket l6, as clearly shown in Figs. 3 and 4. This bracket l6 includes a slotted arm that engages pin it, carried by leg H5, in any suitable manner so long as the bracket functions to rigidly secure leg M in the operative position after it has been swung to a projected position, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3.

The shelves and illuminating fixtures contemplated by this invention are preferably positioned at diagonally opposite corners of the table as illustrated in Fig. 1. This disposition of elements need not be strictly followed, but for all practical purposes has been found to be desired. The structures are the same and an understand- Shelf 20 may be of any form so far as configuration is concerned and may have formed therein a number of openings 22 for the reception of trays or glasses. Shelf 2B .is hingedly attached to side rails [2 through the medium of hinges 24 and a notch 26 formed in the hingedly connected edge of shelf 20 has at least one side thereof parallel with one side of the adjacent leg 14 so that as the said leg is swung from the closed to the operative position, that edge of notch 26 will strike one face of leg M for the purpose of causing shelf 20 to be carried to the operative position simultaneously with the leg.

A shelf-engaging member 28 is carried by leg l4 and serves as a rigid support for shelf 20 when the parts are in the operative position. When leg I4 is in the inoperative position as shown in Fig. 4, shelf 29 overlies the same and is held in place by spring detent 30 which engages beneath the head of pin 32 carried on one face of shelf 26. Spring 30 is strong enough to hold shelf 23 in the inoperative position and as soon as leg I 4 starts to swing about its pivotal point 34, spring 39 will release its hold and shelf 29 will be allowed to follow leg [4 to the operative open position. As bracket l6 snaps to position to rigidly hold leg id in place, member 28 exerts pressure upwardly on the bottom of shelf 20 to lend rigidity thereto.

The illuminating means which is preferably carried by shelf 28 consists of a lighting fixture 36 having a shade of desirable type 38 and a joint 40 which permits movement of fixture 36 to any desired angle. It is sometimes desirable also to make the arm of fixture 36 of flexible material such as a metal loom so that further adjustment might take place. Joint 4B is secured to shelf 20 in any suitable manner such as by screw 42 and electrical conductors such as wires 44 utilized to transmit energy to the ordinary lamp positioned in shade 38. Joint 40 is of the universal type and when shelf 20 is moved around to the collapsed position, the entire fixture 36 may be disposed against one side of top 8. This action may take place without disengaging any member of the entire assembly and the whole procedure is entirely automatic, requiring the operator to do nothing more than move leg l4 from the inoperative to the operative position, or vice versa.

The modified form of this invention provides for the use of a lighting fixture which may be mounted upon table top 8 through the use of a socket member 62 that is built directly into the table top when it is manufactured. A prong type connection 64 is preferably used so that member 62 will present no projecting parts.

It is understood that an automatic illuminated folding table of the character contemplated by this invention might be made of any suitable material and constructed in any desirable manner and that many models or types might be manufactured without departing from the spirit of the invention or scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. A folding table of the character described comprising a top; legs swingably mounted on the top; a shelf hingedly attached to the table top adjacent to each leg respectively; and a lighting fixture having a universal joint affixed to each of the said shelves, said fixtures adapted to overhang one side of the said top when the supporting shelf is in the operative position and to lie against the other side of the top when the shelf is in the inoperative position.

2. In a folding table of the character described having a top and legs swingably mounted on the top for movement from the inoperative position to the operative position and brackets to releasably hold the legs in the operative position, a shelf hingedly attached to the table adjacent to each leg, said shelf having a portion thereof in the path of travel of the related leg whereby the same is moved to the operative position therewith.

3. In a folding table of the character described having a top and legs swingably mounted on the top for movement from the inoperative position to the operative position and brackets to releasably hold the legs in the operative position, a shelf hingedly attached to the table adjacent to each leg, said shelf having a portion thereof in the path of travel of the related leg whereby the same is. moved to the operative position therewith; and a shelf-engaging member mounted on the said adjoining leg to rigidly maintain the shelf in said operative position when the said bracket is holding the leg in the operative position.

4. In a folding table having a top, a swingably mounted leg at one corner of the top and a bracket to releasably maintain the leg in a projected operative position, a hingedly attached shelf movable by the leg to the operative position in a plane parallel with said table top; and an adjustable light fixture affixed to the shelf for movement therewith, said fixture adapted to overhang one side of the table top when in the operative position and to lie against the other side when in the inoperative position.

ARTHUR LOUIS ELLER. 

